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Formula: PbGe4O9
Multiple oxide, germanium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Triclinic
Hardness: 3
Colour: White, colourless
Environments
Sedimentary environments
Hydrothermal environments
Otjisumeite was approved in 1978 but to date (April 2023) it has been reported only from the type locality.
Localities
At the type locality, the Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia, otjisumeite occurs in small
replacement cavities in germanium ore. The
primary ore consists of
tennantite, germanite and
renierite. The
secondary minerals in the cavities include
chalcocite, calcite,
quartz, siderite,
gypsum, otjisumeite and
schaurteite. The otjisumeite crystals are up to 1 mm in length and
have a diameter of less than 0.1 mm; they have a columnar to fibrous habit and they usually form radiating aggregates
(AM 72.1026-1027).
The mineralisation is hosted in dolostone
(Mindat).
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